There are many
different styles of Native American music. We categorize them to assist you in finding a
title appropriate to your tastes and needs. Eventually, we will have extended
descriptions and examples for each category. For now, here's the description of our powwow
category.

POWWOW

This is the music typically heard at powwows. It consists of strong drumming and singing.
The dancers keep step to the drum and celebrate the dance in their own unique styles. Some
recordings are live in which you can hear the bells and whistles of the dancers and others
are studio recordings. There are several distinct types of music in our powwow category:

Northern Style

A Northern Style drum is a drum group which sings in the style of the Northern Plains
tribes such as the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, Crow, Blackfeet and Cree. Northern Style
powwow music typically has very high pitched singing and a fast beat. Note that members of
Northern Style drums are not always from northern tribes. There are excellent Northern
Style drums which are made up of drummers from the Navajo Nation (a very Southwest tribe).

A Southern Style drum sings in the style of the Southern Plains tribes such as the
Ponca and Kiowa. Southern Style powwow music is typically sung in a lower pitch and slower
beat than Northern style music and is somewhat more reserved.

Native Americans have a long tradition of honoring their warriors. From the time of the
Plains horse culture and the Indian Wars to contemporary conflicts of Vietnam and Desert
Storm, those who defended the people were honored in song. Even today, virtually all
powwows begin with a veteran's song to honor those who have served our country in the
Armed Forces.

Note that even in the powwow category there are many styles of songs such as straight
dance, sneak up, jingle dress, grass dance, two-step, and many more. We'll try to provide
information on these songs in the future.